Saturday 27 / April / 2024
Muscat: Thousands of Pakistanis living across the Sultanate celebrated the 71st Independence Day of their country with zeal and enthusiasm.
A number of events were organised at all the seven branches of Pakistan Schools in Oman to commemorate this day, which included stage performances to national songs, and portrait making and cake cutting events.
“Students, staff, parents and community members across all the branches in Oman celebrated this occasion with full fervour to promote patriotism and national unity. What was surprising to us this year was to see the incredible number of participants turning up to mark the 71st Independence Day of Pakistan,” said Ataullah Niazi, Senior Principal of Pakistan Schools in Oman.
“Honestly, we were not expecting a large number of Pakistanis to join us in the celebration, as the occasion coincided with a working day. But to our surprise, most of the schools ran out of space to accommodate the audience who joined in to show their love and respect for our beloved Pakistan,” Niazi said.
Niazi added that the biggest celebration to commemorate August 14 this year was seen at Pakistan School Muscat, with the participation of more than 700 Pakistan nationals.
Speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman, the general secretary of Pakistan Social Club Oman (PSCO) said this response was mainly due to the wave of change that has come to Pakistan post the general elections in 2018.
“This time, you can see people celebrating Independence Day with high hopes and positivity because of the new changes that have recently occurred in Pakistan with regards to the general elections,” Mohammad Zaeem, General Secretary at PSCO, said.
This year, PSCO also introduced a new category of awards that were given out to members during the Independence Day celebration in Muscat. “We have introduced Welfare Awards this year to recognise the work and services rendered by Pakistanis towards their community. The award is now going to be a yearly honour along with the already existing Excellence Award for nationals who have completed more than 30 years in the Sultanate,” Mian Mohammed Munir, Chairman PSCO, said.
